The Lord has provided Uncommon Sports Group with an excellent year thus far! We have had the opportunity to invest in nearly 40 new participants through the USG Academy, along with pouring into our present members through a variety of fully-funded conferences and opportunities! We have had three Academy teams so far this year and eight member opportunities. In this blog, we will highlight what the Lord has been able to do through this ministry so far in 2022. Academy Graduates Over the first half of this year, 37 participants have graduated from the USG Academy across three cohorts. It was an honor for us to have each of them go through our program and we are praising God for the work He did in each of their lives during the eight-week Academy. Take a look at each of our cohorts below: Team 28: Daniel Beavers, Ryan Brown, Kyle Donohue, Grace Flowers, Joel Gray, Harris Hale, Kyle Kempton, Jack Mulkey, Jason Prill, Emma Prillaman, Josh Roberson, Frank Sheets, Sarah Stapleton, Cody Taybron. Team 29: Antoine Brown, Erin Castle, Jackson Cumpton, Alex Kaiser, William Manson, Katherine McConnell, Elijah McKim, Payne Moses, Faith Padgett, Nathaniel Schweitzer, Ashton Whitman. Team 30: Adam Albert, Thomas Biddle, Paul Conner, Dominic Ferrucci, Brady Flynn, Ian Hazzard, Mike Herrington, Hallie Kirk, Kennedy Moore, Mallory Odell, Steven Soule, Rusty Watson. Impact Weekends Each of our Academy graduates attended an Impact Weekend with USG! Our Impact Weekends are an opportunity for our Academy graduates to experience Christ-centered community and practice applying what they have learned during the eight-week virtual Academy. This year we have had two Impact Weekends, one in New York City, New York, and the other in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Hear about what we did at each below: New York City Impact Weekend: Our participants had the opportunity to spend a weekend in the Big Apple. We enjoyed fellowship in Times Square over bowling and food. We heard from powerful guest speakers including Brooklyn Nets General Manager, Andy Birdsong, and a group of USG members from St. John’s University! We were able to serve the local community through evangelism and outreach in Central Park. Lastly, we had the opportunity to cap off the trip with an exclusive tour of Madison Square Garden. Minneapolis/St. Paul Impact Weekend: Our MSP participants had the opportunity to experience an awesome weekend of professional and spiritual growth! We spent time in fellowship over a Minnesota Twins baseball game, and heard from some incredible guest speakers including Minnesota Timberwolves VP of Fan Experience, Jeff Munneke, the Event Manager at the Target Center, and USG Member, Elijah Gill, the Director of Basketball Operations with the University of Minnesota men’s basketball team, Ryan Livingston, and the Athletic Director at the University of Northwestern- St. Paul, Matt Hill. We also had the opportunity to tour the Minnesota Gophers men’s basketball facilities, the Minnesota Gophers football stadium, and the University of Northwestern- St. Paul’s athletic facilities. From a spiritual growth perspective, we had the opportunity to fellowship over morning Bible study, do an evangelism outreach event in downtown Minneapolis, and close the weekend with a commissioning session at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Member Opportunities USG has been able to fully fund a total of eight member opportunities thus far in 2022. It is a great joy for our organization to be able to provide full funding for events that help our members grow both professionally and in Christ. Here's a list of our events through the first half of the year: Passion Conference: January 2-3, 2022 AFCA: January 9-11, 2022 NABC Convention (Men’s Basketball Final Four): March 31-April 4, 2022 WBCA Convention (Women’s Basketball Final Four): March 31-April 3, 2022 SEME (Sports Event Marketing Experience): April 1-2, 2022 Kenya International Mission Trip: June 3-16, 2022 AEMA Convention: June 5-8, 2022 NACDA Convention: June 26-29, 2022 We would like to acknowledge our Clean Out For A Cause program and all of our donors who make these fully-funded conferences, events, and opportunities possible for our participants! Are you interested in taking part in our Academy and membership opportunities? Apply to join our community of Christ-centered leaders in sports here! Do you have questions about our ministry? Fill out a contact form here!

The sun was beating down on my black-leather NIV study bible. I had just returned from a two-week-long mission trip to Nairobi, Kenya with Uncommon Sports Group. On this particular day, I was reading through Acts chapter 3, which records Peter’s healing of a lame beggar and his message to the surrounding Jews who witnessed the miracle. Towards the end of the chapter, Peter states: “When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”- Acts 3:26 This verse convicted me. It is so easy to see blessings from the Lord as material or financial. I’m blessed because I have a house. I’m blessed with this new job. I’m blessed because I get to go on vacation. I’m blessed with a car. The list goes on. It is not necessarily a bad thing to have an attitude of gratitude towards these things, but we often misunderstand what it means to be blessed as a follower of Christ. In Kenya, it became clear that the majority of people in our world do not have the same level of material or financial comfort that we do. They don’t have a home and if they do it’s hardly the homes we are used to living in. They scrounge for any job that’s available or go without any job at all. Vacations aren’t even a consideration. Cars are a rare luxury. This is a stark contrast between the lifestyles we see as blessed and the lifestyles people in Kenya are living. Many of the Kenyan people that our group came across were followers of Jesus Christ. It was incredible to see their faith and desire to serve Christ with their lives. So, are these Kenyan people not blessed by the God they love and serve because they lack the material and financial comfort that we experience here in the States? We know this isn’t true. When we analyze the context of this verse in Acts, we see that Peter is talking to God’s chosen people, his Jewish brothers and sisters. They had just witnessed the healing that Jesus did through Peter to the lame beggar at the gate called “Beautiful” and Peter is sharing the truth of Jesus being the Messiah with them. He closes his message in verse 26 by stating that God blessed them by turning them from their wicked ways through the resurrection of Christ. Peter didn’t say that God blessed them through the elimination of Roman taxes or a plentiful harvest, but rather through the purification of their sins through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. My biggest takeaway from this passage of Scripture and the Kenya mission trip as a whole is that blessings from the living God are not material or financial, but they are eternal. We have a restored relationship with the living God (Romans 5:1), our sins are blotted out and forgiven through Christ (Ephesians 1:7), and we have the hope of eternal life (John 3:16). No matter where you are from in the world or what level of worldly success you have, if you acknowledge that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, you are blessed with the greatest gift known to mankind. Are you curious about the impact of our international mission trip opportunities? Hear more about USG’s 2022 Kenya mission trip here! Do you want to get involved with USG or talk to a team member? Apply to join our community here or fill out a contact form here!

The Importance of Finding a Bible Study One of the most vital factors in navigating your faith is finding a church that works for you. Once you’ve found a church community, focus on making meaningful relationships with those around you through a bible study or small group. Everyone should have confidants and mentors in their life, whether professional, spiritual, or both. Finding others in your community that you can turn to in need of advice and insight as you navigate your journey is important. Finding a bible study If you’re looking to join a bible study or small group, look first to your local church. Usually, there are many opportunities. But, if you don’t feel that it’s the right fit, or the schedule doesn't align with yours, there are many other ministries across the country. Recommended campus ministries: The Navigators is a ministry that focuses on developing disciples person-by-person-by-person. A disciple is someone who believes in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and strives to live more like Him. Discipleship means helping people live more like Christ and equipping them to do the same with others. God is transforming lives through these spiritual generations. The Navigators include a variety of ministries, missionaries, supporters, and volunteers. There are ministries on college campuses and military bases, churches, and local communities. InterVarsity is a campus ministry that establishes communities of students and faculty. InterVarsity has a presence on hundreds of college campuses. Many campuses have more than one chapter, with separate outreaches. Some may serve international students, greek life, athletes, minority groups, or graduate students. Bible Study Fellowship serves groups of women, men, young adults, students and children in Bible studies. Studies consist of small group discussions, teachings, questions, and exploring biblical commentaries. Founder Audrey Wetherell Johnson began with a group of five women. The group grew until groups sprang up all across the U.S. and the globe. Today, BSF serves more than 400,000 members on six continents in 120 nations. Cru consists of 5,300 campus ministries worldwide. The community is passionate about connecting people to Christ. Cru offers guidance, resources and programs to people from all walks of life. It was founded as Campus Crusade for Christ in 1951 by Bill and Vonette Bright at UCLA. During Bright’s first talk, he invited 60 students to enter into a relationship with Christ. Within months, there were 250 students involved. Cru offers tons of opportunities, from mission trips to packing supplies for families. Chi Alpha Campus Ministries is on more than 300 campuses worldwide. You’ll find people who are in all stages of both pursuits: self-discovery and God-discovery. The Assemblies of God (AG) sponsors Chi Alpha and provides each campus with support. You don’t have to have any particular denominational connection to be welcome. Starting your own bible study If you’re unable to find a group to join in your area or if you have an interest in starting your own Bible study, use the tips below. Don’t forget to seek counsel if needed. Determine a purpose Setting goals will help you determine your purpose and hold accountability. Don’t be afraid to turn to prayer. Developing a mission based on prayer will help you set the course. Choose the study material Determine whether you'll go through a book in the Bible, a study guide, or a Christian-living book. Make sure it's scripture-based, accessible to everyone, and relatable. Create your community Determine the right people for your small group. Consider your current community. Who do you know? Who in your community is most in need? If you would like to connect with working professionals, consider offering morning sessions. If there are young moms in your community in need of a support system, find how to best connect with them. Determine the logistics Depending on the need in your community, you may choose to meet once a week or once a month, it’s up to you. One way to choose your approach is to start with a calendar. Plan from a yearly perspective, then focus on each month. Be mindful of members and what their needs are while you plan and be flexible. Once you’ve determined when and where the group will meet, get started! Not sure you can start a study? In 2018, we received a call from a coach who had joined a Bible Study we had hosted at the Final Four. The Lord had prompted him to start his own group in Montgomery, Alabama. He ordered copies of our study guide and invited acquaintances to join him weekly at a local coffee shop. Within a few weeks, he had assembled a small group to join him in studying the Word of God. Whether you’re looking to join a community or create your own, take comfort in the fact that furthering your relationship with Christ will take you down the right path. Uncommon Sports Group is a nonprofit organization that provides faith-based training and resources to future leaders of the sport industry. We understand the challenges, temptations, and pressures that you'll face in your career. You shouldn't have to compromise your values to be successful. If you have questions about our Ministry or would like help finding a community or Bible study, please contact us. We'd love to hear from you.

Men's & Women's swimming & diving head coach at Roberts Wesleyan College, Sara Smith, was the runner-up of USG's 2022 Spring Reflection Scholarship. This blog will feature Sara's essay! You can view this year's scholarship essay prompt here. Runner-up Spring 2022 Essay by: Sara Smith - Head Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving Coach at Roberts Wesleyan College "According to Barna (2021), nearly 75% of young adults between the ages of 18 and 36 are actively “seeking to identify their purpose in life”. With such a large amount of individuals hunting for their next steps, it is important to reflect on my own purpose and how that has guided my path personally, academically, and professionally. Interestingly, the Lord outlined the purpose of life clearly throughout biblical texts with reminders to know God, serve God, be a witness for God, and “make disciples of all” (New International Version, 1978/2011). Additionally, the Lord provides clear instruction in 1 Peter 4 on how we should behave, treat others, and specifically use our gifts to serve others. Recognizing the importance of operating within the Lord’s guidelines, this paper will reflect on my own perceived purpose in the past, my current purpose as a coach and administrator, challenges I have faced that have aided in professional growth, and tangible ways to serve others. Throughout my childhood and development years, I rarely considered how I would contribute to the external world. Specifically, I recognized my purpose within the realms of my reality and focused on being a good daughter, a good friend, an exceptional student, and a diligent athlete. Proverbs 23 suggested that we “apply ourselves” to discipline, instruction, and knowledge and as a child, I prioritized these things. My purpose consisted of building the foundation of being the best I could be athletically, academically, emotionally, and spiritually. The application of my parents, church, and mentor aided in my recognition that my purpose as a child would vary greatly from my purpose in the future but with the application of hard work and discipline, I’d be prepared to take on the purpose God had for me each step along the journey. As I embarked on a career in athletics, I found my purpose in providing a safe, athletic outlet for children while prioritizing the love of the sport. However, my progression from youth sports to collegiate sports has allowed me to better understand my purpose for providing value and enrichment while helping student-athletes navigate life from childhood to adulthood. Sports involvement plays a critical role in the development of strong character traits such as discipline, leadership, and teamwork. My own experiences as a student-athlete indicated that the skills learned throughout sports need to be molded, rehearsed, and sometimes student-athletes need help applying them to other areas of life. Therefore, I have set out to ensure that the student-athletes I interact with are learning how to take skills such as the discipline of practice and apply them to the classroom, work environment, or the home. Navigating the importance of connecting with student-athletes, guiding them through transitional periods of their lives, and being a support role for them during their college careers has stretched me in ways I never would have expected. Specifically, every personality test I have ever taken indicated that I work best behind the scenes, am task-oriented, and thrive in repetition. All of these areas are the complete opposite traits of those that I need to portray to fulfill the Lord’s current purpose for me. Therefore, I have had to adapt to being uncomfortable at times. Ultimately, I have grown significantly as an individual but also as a leader, learning how to apply leadership skills to effectively fulfill the goal of being a resource for student-athletes. Ultimately, the Lord’s purpose for me has become my mission. First Peter 4:10 states that we should “use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace” (New International Version, 1978/2011). Therefore, I hope to utilize my gifts of knowledge, organization, and development to create programs to enhance student-athlete experiences. Specifically, I plan to serve others by developing student-athlete programming that will enhance opportunities, experiences, and create leaders to enter the workforce after graduation. Recognizing the lack of purpose that many young adults face each day, I am grateful that the Lord has lit my path as I navigate college, coaching, and now intercollegiate sports administration. However, as I have traveled many paths I have recognized opportunities for enhancement and hope to continue to use my gifts to provide value for student-athletes within my organization. As a young child that felt purposeless, I can recognize how important it was that I prioritized building a foundation of good habits, work ethic, and discipline, all of which have allowed me to successfully live out the purpose that God has for my life. It is my hope that I can share with the student-athletes I encounter every day the same opportunities for personal development, growth, and ultimate success." Thank you, Sara, for participating in this year's Spring Reflection Scholarship! We are also thankful to our sponsor, Helmet Tracker, for making this scholarship opportunity possible for all thirteen of our winners! If you have an interest in taking part in USG's Reflection Scholarship program, be sure to apply for our Fall 2022 Reflection Scholarship in early September! Our team looks forward to hearing more encouraging and uplifting stories from the next round of our scholarship program. Click here for more information on our Scholarship Program.

We are excited to share with you a recap of our recent trip to Nairobi, Kenya with a group of our young Christians who are pursuing a career in the sport industry. On June 3rd our team of seven USG members and three staff took off to Kenya. This was our team: Tom Doran- Assistant Basketball Coach, SUNY Oneonta Conrad Chow- Basketball Analyst, Pro Insight Garrett Sons- Student Football Equipment Manager, University of Oklahoma Samantha Williams- Assistant Athletic Advisor, University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) Ian Keiderling- Women's Basketball Coach, Graceland College (Iowa) Emma Prillaman- Women's Basketball Student Manager, University of Virginia Erin Couwenhoven- Customer Service Manager, Uncommon Sports Group Mikey Carpenter- Senior Engagement Associate, Uncommon Sports Group (staff) Seth Ralston- Ministry Operations & Event Manager, Uncommon Sports Group (staff) Sports Camps at Huduma Center Our first week in Kenya was spent serving the youth at a local school called Huduma Center, located in the Kawangware slum. Kawangware is one of Africa’s biggest slums situated about 9 miles west of Nairobi in Kenya. It is a city of makeshift homes filled with hundreds of thousands of residents, struggling to survive on around fifty dollars a month. The Kawangware slum lies between Lavington Estate and Dagoretti. It spans approximately 2 miles and has a population of over 80,000 people, many of whom are children. Over 65 percent of the adult population have no permanent job and are without access to education. Some of the population turns to prostitution or crime to make money; others become pregnant and continue their struggle to survive. Many children in the slum do not attend school. Water supplied by the city authority is not available every day. Safe drinking water in Kawangware is scarce and expensive. Water-borne diseases, respiratory pneumonia, aspiratory pneumonia, and malaria are prevalent as well as many other airborne diseases due to the poor drainage system. Many people in Kawangware are HIV-positive and caring for those with AIDS and the orphans left behind are overwhelming for the families and communities in the slum. Sadly this has resulted in an increase in the number of street children, prostitution, suicide, and isolation of those infected. The students in the Huduma school are very fortunate to have access to education, but they have little resources and are especially lacking in sports equipment for their recess time. Our team gifted fifty sports balls to the school and spent four days with the kids running "sports camps". These camps are designed to be instructional, fun, and relationship-building oriented. Our team broke up into groups of two or three and taught a different sport each day. The sports we taught were basketball, soccer, and volleyball. The ministry done through these camps was providing the children at Huduma with the joy and love of Christ each and every day, bringing excitement into their lives and giving them skills that extend beyond the world of sports, and reach into their day-to-day lives. My personal highlight was seeing the deep love and appreciation that these children have. Despite their circumstances, they have the biggest smiles on their faces, they are eager to learn, they laugh constantly, and they let you know that they care about you. Street Evangelism On Friday of that same week, the Lord blessed our team with the incredible opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people in Kawangware. Our group went out with a Kenyan translator and had conversations with the locals about their interests, home life, hobbies, struggles, and blessings, and finished by sharing the gospel and offering them the opportunity to accept Christ. We had around fifty people accept Christ and we were blown away by God's faithfulness during our time with the locals. Some of our biggest takeaways from this opportunity were two-fold: The first is that God is sovereign over salvation. Those who accept Christ are those who He calls and those whose hearts He softens. We are simply the messengers, but God is the one who brings about true salvation and faith in Christ (John 6:44). The second is that we have to put ourselves in uncomfortable situations to share our faith with others. The Kawangware slum is far from a comfortable place for Westerners, but just being out there allows God to use us to change the eternities of those whom He has called. Coaches Clinic During the second week in Kenya, our team hosted a clinic for sixty Kenyan youth sports coaches. These coaches desire to uplift the youth of Kenya through sports and through faithfully leading and teaching like Christ. The Lord blessed our group with the opportunity to teach these men and women and provide them with Biblically-based insights into Christ-centered coaching. We taught about handling winning and losing, leading with humility, the meaning of glorifying God, managing injuries, handling gray areas in sports, and developing God-honoring teammates. In terms of the impact, our hope is that these coaches take what we taught and apply it to how they coach their teams, which in turn will develop a Christ-centered and honoring youth culture in Kenya. We are praying and praising God for what He has done and will continue to do through these coaches. Closing Outside of our mission opportunities, we were able to explore the city of Nairobi, eat some great food, and do an awesome Safari at Amboseli National Park near the border of Tanzania and Mount Kilimanjaro. Africa is beautiful and we would highly recommend it to any and all who have a desire to explore that part of the world someday. One of our favorite food items was Chapati, which is a soft unleavened bread dish that is popular in East African countries. On the Safari, we were able to see Zebras, Wildebeests, Elephants, Giraffes, and more! Seth Ralston and Noah Weiss, two USG staff members, were also given the opportunity to join a local radio show in the Kariobangi district of Nairobi to share their testimonies and the gospel with over 5,000 listeners in the area! Thank you for taking some time out of your day to read this and thank you for partnering in this ministry that God is leading and nurturing. You are not just a part of life change, but change that brings glory to the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior. If you want to get involved with our ministry and have a chance to experience an international mission trip, apply to join here! Do you have questions about our ministry? Contact a staff member here!

As I prepare to marry the woman of my dreams today, I can’t help but reflect upon the privilege of hope we have in God. There is incredible power in hope. There’s a reason most sports fans are likelier to tune in for their favorite teams' first games of the season. Going into the start of the season, many are naturally filled with “hope” that this will be their year! Paul's prayer for the Christians in Rome in Romans 15:13 was, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Peter explains in 1 Peter 1:3 how we have been “given a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” We have hope that not only has God forgiven our past failures and redeemed us to spend eternity with him, but also hope for here and now. At times, being filled with hope and anticipation feels easy. Other times it certainly does not. This has been true in my journey of meeting Elisabeth. A year ago, a spouse seemed like a distant reality, even though I’ve desired to get married for as long as I can remember. While I recognized the many incredible blessings God had brought into my life professionally and spiritually, the desire for a spouse did not go away. I knew it was a healthy desire, but I also knew it was not something I was promised. Even in the tension and uncertainty, God has steadfastly provided me hope through His promises like Romans 8:28- that He was working out all things for my good and His glory. He reminds me in Psalm 84:11 that “no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless” and that if it were for my best to be married, He would bring it about at the perfect time. God has gently reminded me many times that my hope is not in finding satisfaction in my earthly desires but hope in my faithful and sufficient God. While I knew this to be true, I still found myself wrestling with this and inevitably deleting my dating apps, only to change my mind and redownload them a few weeks later. On June 1st, 2021, I was as single as single gets. I had zero prospects. On June 2nd, I matched on the dating app Hinge with a beautiful young teacher who made it clear that she loved Jesus. Within weeks we had gone on many dates, and a short seven months later we were engaged. While I had undoubtedly fasted and prayed for many years for God to lead me to a spouse, there was nothing I did on the night of June 1st when I went from desperately single to suddenly starting a relationship with the woman I will now marry today. Put simply; God suddenly brought Elisabeth into my life by His great grace. My prayer is that this testimony reminds you of the hope we have that God can answer prayer at any time, but I have been reluctant to share this testimony for a couple of reasons. First, I acknowledge that married life will certainly bring about its own challenges as Elisabeth and I merge our lives together and commit to each other no matter what comes our way. I also acknowledge that there are people who have been much more faithful than myself and have prayed even more fervently than I have for a spouse yet remain single for reasons I can’t explain. I can never pretend to understand the mystery of how and when God answers prayers. But I also want to encourage everyone to rejoice in the HOPE we have in an all-powerful God that can change everything in a moment. While God seems to often work slowly in refining us into His image and leading us through different seasons of life, He is also a God of suddenly. “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. 'Quick, get up! ' he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.” Acts 12:7 “Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.” Matthew 15:28 "And a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God." - Luke 13:11-13 Our Father is a God Who is able to do the impossible in an instant. And this provides an incredible hope as we walk through the inevitable trials of this earthly life. We get to rejoice in the reality that God is able to suddenly heal a terminal illness, restore the most broken of relationships, provide freedom to the lifelong addict, or bring about a job or relationship that we never thought would come. The trials and difficult seasons of this earthly life can certainly seem unending and overwhelming, but let us rejoice in the reality that we belong to a God Who can change everything in an instant. We would be very remiss also not to consider the reality that one day God will suddenly come to earth to wipe away every tear and restore all things (Revelation 21:4). He will also judge all of us. It could be tomorrow; it could be next year, it could be thousands of years from now. We do not know. But followers of Jesus have a hope that how things appear now is not how they will always be. This is hope not just for eternity but for the here and now as well. Let us allow this to change everything about where we place our hope and rejoice in our living hope today.

Working in sports can be unrelenting, overwhelming, and highly demanding. It is a tough, time-consuming, and oftentimes thankless job. If you work in sports, you’re likely a high achiever, prone to workaholism, and willing to sacrifice your sanity and health to get a job or to achieve a goal. The temptation to think of what could be or how you can get to your next spot can cause you to fear what the future may hold and keep you from setting roots or building community. Furthermore, if you have less than ideal coworkers, supervisors, or customers, your work requires that much more emotional, mental, and physical energy. Without taking proper precautions, this type of lifestyle can quickly start you down the path to burnout. Burnout happens when physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion outweighs a person’s ability to deal with the demands of their environment. In a job, burnout often shows up when present and past problems or tasks continue to pile up. It can manifest in various ways, but it often means losing your passion, creativity, and drive. This can result in feelings of helplessness and general negativity toward your work, relationships, and daily life (James & Gilliland, 2017). If you’re burned out, you may sleep but wake up feeling tired, you may work hard but see few results, and you may contemplate leaving your job. Burnout also negatively affects both personal and professional relationships, causing you to want to give up on them. Unfortunately, burnout can be hard to recognize because it is a slow process that happens over a long period of time. You may not even see it happening before it’s too late! I am notorious for staying too busy and never taking time to rest. I tend to be a workaholic, jumping from one activity to the next, sometimes for days on end. This allows me to get a lot done in a relatively short amount of time but never gives me a chance to breathe (or sometimes even sleep), and then it starts to catch up with me. I’ve recognized my signs of burnout are increased cynicism, losing track of plans or details, drinking boatloads of coffee, and never taking time to sit down and just exist. These are all signs to me that I need to slow down. I wish I had been more aware in my own life so that I could have avoided the detrimental effects of burnout. I’ve been learning that the Lord didn’t create us to constantly be moving. David says in Psalm 23 that God “makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” The Hebrew phrase for “makes me lie down” is râbats. One definition of râbats is to “cause to rest or sit,” and by implication, “to recline” (Strong's Hebrew Lexicon). It may seem counterintuitive, but taking time to rest will actually increase your productivity, and physical and mental health, and equip you to be fully present for the important events and people in your life. If you’re able to recognize the symptoms of burnout in your life, you can then take precautionary steps to avoid the negative impact of burnout in your life. Your relationships, your health, your job, and your peace of mind are worth the time it takes to combat burnout in your life! There are many ways to help bring your system back into equilibrium. The most important deterrent to burnout in my life has been community. Social support is not only proven to lower burnout rates and prevent other health issues, but it is a way of life that the Lord promotes. Galatians 6:2 instructs Jewish Christians to carry each other’s burdens and Ephesians 4 reveals the importance of working together as the body of Christ. This includes “bearing with one another in love,” (v. 2), “speaking the truth in love,” (v. 15), and living in holiness, allowing the Holy Spirit to remove anger and bitterness” (v. 31). As someone who has a hard time accepting help, relying on social support has been a learning process that has had a huge positive impact on my health. It is vitally important to surround yourself with healthy people who will support you when you need it most! I can’t count the number of times this year that my friends have urged me to rest or eat or just take general care of myself. Spending time with friends who know me, who can be a sounding board for me, and who are willing to tell me when I’m overworking has been extremely helpful for me. If you don’t have these types of friends, it’s worth the time to find them! A critical way to battle burnout is to bring the Lord into your struggles. Jesus brings rest to the weary (Matt 11:28)! Complaining to Him, spending intentional time with Him, and finding space in your schedule for solitude are going to be critical to avoiding burnout in your life. Jesus urged his disciples to rest and find a quiet place after they had spent time teaching and pouring into people (Mark 6:30-32). Are you following His example and taking time to rest? Are you bringing your issues to the Lord and your community or are you trying to take them on in your own power? If you’re trying to take everything on by yourself, you’re really just making life harder for yourself and stifling God’s ability to move in your life. I would encourage you to identify the stressors in your life and take proactive steps to remove them or, if they can’t be removed, make a plan to better cope with them. Taking basic care of your body, such as going on walks, seeing the sun, eating nutrient-dense food, and drinking more water than coffee can work wonders to help you deal with issues more effectively. No matter how tough or resilient you think you are, no one is immune to burnout! Are you experiencing any of the following symptoms? To help keep your body in equilibrium, it’s important to realistically evaluate where you’re at. When you notice any of these symptoms, it’s time to take action! Symptoms of Burnout (James & Gilliland, 2017): Cynicism Isolation from others Lack of creativity Increased risk-taking Complaining and negativity Loss of authenticity Increased use of alcohol or caffeine Muscle tension Inability to cope with daily, minor stressors Chronic fatigue Paranoia Change in religious beliefs Irritability Loss of enjoyment Forgetfulness Suicidal ideation Combating Burnout Intentional rest Exercise Time with healthy, safe people Sleeping Drinking water & eating nutrient-dense food Solitude with the Lord Hobbies Journaling If you'd like to talk to someone about your own stress or burnout, or you'd simply like to connect with Uncommon Sports Group, contact us. We'd love to hear from you. If you'd like to connect with a group of supportive, like-minded professionals, we'd encourage you to consider joining Uncommon Sports Group. We'd be happy to answer any questions you may have for us. Lastly, if you found this article helpful, we have a whole collection of articles dedicated to professional development. Give them a read, we hope that you'll find them valuable. Thanks and God Bless! References Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). H7257 - rāḇaṣ - Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h7257/niv/wlc/0-1/ James, R. K., & Gilliland, B. E. (2017). Crisis intervention strategies. Cengage Learning.

What is the point of a cover letter? It can seem monotonous when employers ask for both a resume and cover letter because they are pretty much the same right? Wrong. Resumes serve the purpose of giving employers a feel for your past experience and skills. Cover letters serve the purpose of explaining to the employer your interest in the role and why you would be a good fit. It is essentially an extended version of your resume that gets into the nitty-gritty of why your past experience and skill make you fit for the job. The first item to tackle is how to properly format a cover letter. Every cover letter should take the same format as a business letter. This includes: Header with correct date and contact information Greeting Introductory paragraph Body text Conclusion Letter ending and signature. Your cover letter should be only one page in length, with a basic font style, like Times New Roman or Arial, and should be 10 to 12-point font. The next step is understanding how to properly write your cover letter, given the format above. Header The header is something you should not overcomplicate. Make it simple. The employer will expect your header to contain the following information: your name, your address, your phone number, your email address, and the date. Below the date, be sure to include the name of the letter recipient, the title of the recipient, the company name, and the company address. The header should be located on the left-hand side of your letter and make sure that all of your contact information is correct, as the employer may use it to follow up with you. For reference, look at the example below: Johnny Appleseed johnny.appleseed@gmail.com (xxx) xxx-xxxx 100 North Drive New York City, NY 44793 February 17, 2022 Noah Weiss Uncommon Sports Group 6318 Cambridge Street Minneapolis, MN 55408 Greeting A greeting is always better if you can address a specific person. One of the first things you should do is research who will be reading your cover letter. If you successfully find that person’s name, then your greeting should be addressed to that individual. Be sure to use the title Mr or Ms to show professionalism and respect to that person. If you cannot find that person’s name, then address the cover letter to “hiring manager”. You can use words such as “dear” or “hello” if you would like, or you can simply use that person’s name. For reference, see the examples below: Dear Ms. Williams, Ms. Williams, Hello Ms. Williams, Dear Hiring Manager, Introductory Paragraph The introductory paragraph should give the employer a clear understanding of why and how you came across the available position. The paragraph should start by including the job title you are applying for and where you saw the position. Next, explain in some detail your specific interest in the job and the company to show that you have a genuine interest and that you have done your research. It is important to remember that this paragraph will be the employer's first impression of you. Make sure to provide intentional detail and to read it over carefully to avoid any grammatical errors. Body Text The body text serves the purpose of providing detail about your experience and how it is relevant to the position. It is important to include the key experiences that relate to the open position. Remember, the organization or team will already have your resume, therefore you don’t need to list every experience you have had. Focus on one or two specific details about your key experiences that relate to the job description. It would also be valuable to also look for keywords in the job description and include those in your body text. The body text can be as little as one paragraph in length, as long as you provide sufficient detail in regards to the relevance of your experience to the job. Conclusion The conclusion serves the purpose of reminding the employee of the key details that you wrote about in the introduction and body paragraphs. It could be beneficial to provide an anecdotal story from one of your experiences that proves your ability to handle the responsibilities that come with the position or to highlight the skills you gained in past experiences that are relevant to the job. Keep the conclusion brief and make sure to close by saying that you look forward to hearing from the employer with the next steps. Finally, put your signature at the very bottom of your cover letter. Cover letters are a vital part of the application process. It will highlight your key skill sets, show the employer your genuine interest in the position, and give the employer more details on your past experiences. If you want to master how to write a good cover letter or desire to learn other professional development skills, apply to join Uncommon Sports Group today. If you'd like to learn more about USG, or you'd like to connect with our staff or network, don't hesitate to contact us. We'd love to hear from you! Lastly, we have several other blogs dedicated to professional development. If you found this article helpful, these others may be as well. Thank you, and God Bless!

I’m still processing this entire trip. For me, the journey to Nairobi, Kenya was a grind – four flights totaling over 23 hours, not to mention the four-hour layover at Los Angeles International Airport, the 10-hour stop in Atlanta, and another eight-hour break in Amsterdam before actually landing in Kenya. This was my first mission trip so there were no predetermined expectations as I desired to have an open mindset. Vividly, I had already seen the Lord at work two days before the departure date. The USG travel folder, containing important documents, had been mailed to my address weeks prior (Thanks Seth!). However, a mix-up with USPS had prevented me from accessing my mailbox so I had been panicking and anxiously waiting for a new key for weeks. It wasn’t until less than 48 hours before my flight that I finally received the mailbox key and saw God’s sense of humor as coincidentally there was a USPS carrier parked outside my residence that day. Knowing that the Lord will come through in His timing is a lesson that many can certainly resonate with. It is something we have to recognize when we wake up and when we end our day. In Proverbs 3:5-6, it says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” When we meditate on these words, we realize that God is not only ultimately in control of the bigger picture, but also in the micro instances of time. For myself, I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel internationally to multiple continents such as Asia, Australia, and Europe with my family. Yet, I had never stepped foot in Africa before, so I knew this was going to be an eye-opening experience, nonetheless. The idea of serving on a mission trip was initially brought forward by USG staff member, Noah Weiss, on one of our video calls. This was over half a year away from the actual date so there was plenty of time to engage in prayer and talk to my circle. I had pursued a few summer internships, but after those fell through, there was certainty as the Lord had established the next steps to go on this journey. I’d say I’m an opportunistic person and relish taking advantage of what God has placed in front of me. I wanted to attend the mission trip to broaden my spiritual horizons in a way where serving takes us outside of our comfort zone and challenges us to be bold about our purpose and how we proclaim the gospel. Further, I was excited about gaining novel worldview perspectives as well as building community and engaging in teamwork. I was grateful for the opportunity for the Lord to mold and use me however He pleased for His mission. Our team went through a Bible study titled Marks of a Disciple – Six Measurements for Growth by Dean Inserra and did popcorn prayers during the trip. I thoroughly enjoyed the depth of our discussions and how the topics set the table for living a lifestyle of humility before God beyond the trip itself. One of the biggest spiritual lessons I learned was how joy is a choice that one can make daily and how joy can be cultivated through satisfaction in the Lord. John 15:11 states, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Whether it was kids, local Kenyans, or service workers, I was able to witness the abundant joy that glistened inside the hearts of individuals amidst hardships or mundane situations. It reminded me of James 1:2-3, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” Further, seeing how the joy translated to worship is something that I will remember – worship predicated on spirit and truth and not restricted by flashy lights or vibrant surround sounds. While there were so many highlights associated with the trip such as connecting with kids during the sports camps at Huduma School, engaging in street evangelism in Kawangware, and hosting a coaches clinic in Kariobangi, I was grateful to see how surreal it was when the Lord brought our team together and called us to unite in impacting His Kingdom. Whether it was the walk to the local gas station for coffee, Stoney’s, Dawa, or snacks or the night session of Five Crowns, a card game that I am still learning, I appreciated the laughter and fellowship we all shared. Thank you to USG for the opportunity to go on this mission trip! Thank you to the USG staff for taking care of trip logistics and investing in our spiritual walks with the Lord! It was a life-changing experience to see God work through our team and how His name and impact revolve around the globe. Indeed, we do worship the same God. Throughout the trip, I was able to hear the Lord’s voice and learn to be more still in the moment. He yearns for us to have a missional heart wherever He has planted us and to not be complacent with our time here. My prayer is that we would be intentional in our relationships, careers, and platforms to continue to become more like Christ and shine a light for His Kingdom! Praise God!

USG staff members Michael Carpenter and Noah Weiss, talk through some of the highlights and takeaways from USG's recent mission trip to Nairobi, Kenya. USG member, Garrett Sons, who attended the trip to Kenya also joins the show to provide a short testimony on his testimony from the trip and how it impacted his walk with Christ. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this week's episode, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released! Curious about Uncommon Sports Group and what our ministry has to offer? Contact us to learn more here! Do you want to join the largest community of future Christian leaders of the college and pro sport industry? Apply to join here!

Spending eleven days in Kenya opened my eyes to the expanse of our God and his Kingdom. God is moving everywhere whether we are a part of it or not. I got to experience life and people in another part of the world God created, just like he created the United States and just like he created me. It's amazing that there are so many people in this world and so much going on that we will never be aware of, but God sees, knows, and cares about all of it. I met so many beautiful and different people in Kenya, all created in the image of God. They were willing to share their lives and time with me. It's evident in much of the way of life in Kenya, that people and relationships are more important than work, comfort, and materials. I think serving the Lord in another country is an incredible opportunity to consider because experiencing more of the world and the people in it allows us to experience more of God. Everything and everyone were created by God, and interacting with people gives us a greater glimpse into the character of our loving and perfect Creator.

It had been two years since members of the Athletic Equipment Managers Association (AEMA) congregated. Since then a lot has happened in the equipment manager industry. Many changes have taken place including new job changes, new tasks, elements to ensure cleanliness, and a new appreciation for fellowship. As a group, the sports industry has become accustomed to meeting virtually via Zoom, Teams, Google Chat and Facetime but if there is one role in the sports industry that thrives in person, it is equipment managers and members of the AEMA. The membership and the AEMA convention in Las Vegas have a special place in the heart of Uncommon Sports Group as it was the first official public announcement of the direction of the organization, which was then known as Managers On A Mission (MOAM). With the support of so many coming from this convention, MOAM gained momentum from one mission trip to Rwanda to now hundreds of students impacted by scholarship opportunities, the USG Academy, service projects, conferences, and other resources which have been supported by so many in the equipment manager community. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Fellowship of Equipment Managers (FEM) during the convention. This has been a long-standing tradition that has continued for years and it is always a great way to bring together Christ-centered equipment managers and vendors for fellowship and devotionals. The participation was inspiring and we are looking to grow this fellowship more and more each year. Personally, it was amazing to connect with many I have seen only virtually through our book study or via phone calls and email over the past two years. Getting a good handshake and hug from board member and fellow book study leader, Jalen Stone (University of Michigan), is a great example of the togetherness an event like this has. It was great to see so many longtime supporters stop by and say hi in the booth like Clifton Perry (Princeton) and the newly retired Kelly Jones (Gettysburg). We were also able to connect with folks that are new to what USG is doing in the sports industry like Anthony Quiroz (Montana) and Easton Barrett (College of Idaho). It was amazing to share all of the amazing things happening and all that is coming for our organization that is going to be celebrating ten years in 2023. Thank you to all the AEMA Convention attendees and vendors for the outpouring of support. It is great to see how our constant prayers and faith in Christ are working throughout the industry. We look forward to a great year ahead and celebrating ten years of Uncommon Sports Group in Oklahoma City in 2023.